NORTH MADISON VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY - Key Persons
Chris Bernier is also a life-long resident of North Madison and began his work with the Department in 1997 at the age of 15. Chris currently lives on Twin Bridge Road and became a regular member of the fire team in 2000. In the past, Chris has served as Deputy Chief of Administration and EMS Captain and Lieutenant. Chris enjoys his work with the Department because it provides him with the ability to give back to the community.
Gabriel Balsamo joined the Company in 2005 serving initially as the Explorer Post President. He grew up in Madison and graduated from Daniel Hand High School. He attended the University of New Haven and graduated with a degree in Fire Science, Arson Investigation in 2013. Gabe works for United Technologies-Pratt and Whitney as an Environmental, Health and Safety Specialist in East Hartford and is also a EMT for Madison EMS.
John Nassif has lived on Summer Hill Road since 1986. His family moved to North Madison in 1969 and John has been a member of the Company since 1997. Professionally, John works as a manager at the Summer Hill Nursery. He became involved as a firefighter to help people and to give back to the community.
Jonathan has been with North Madison Volunteer Fire Company since 2016 and holds the following state certifications: Firefighter II, Driver/Operator - Q, and emergency medical responder. As a Connecticut native, Jonathan is a graduate of Notre Dame High School and has earned degrees from Southern Connecticut State University, Yale University, and Quinnipiac University.
Justin Cappetta joined the North Madison Volunteer Fire Company in 2016 after moving to Madison from North Haven. Justin was a 9-year member of the North Haven Volunteer Fire Department prior to moving to Madison in 2016. Justin has a strong passion for the fire service and was exposed to the service at a very young age coming from a fire department family. Justin rose to the rank of Lieutenant in 2017 and currently manages the Fire Apparatus Fleet. Justin is certified to the Fire Officer 1 level as well as Incident Safety Officer. Justin also currently serves as the Public Information Officer for the North Madison Vol. Fire Company. He joined the fire service to give back to the community and to continue doing what he loves, even when he's off duty as a full-time career firefighter.
Mark DeCillis currently lives on Summer Hill Road and has been a resident of North Madison since 1998. He has been part of the Fire Company since 2010 and is an owner of a local landscape company. He joined the organization to help the community and to be member of a community organization.
Michael Penders has been a member of the company since 2014. Currently, he serves as Chief of Department. Mike has a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University and a Masters in Public Administration from Anna Maria College.
Paul Harris lives on Genesee Lane and has been a resident of North Madison for the last 27 years. Professionally, Paul has worked as a sales manager in the fire alarm industry and has served as a volunteer firefighter in the community for 20 years. Paul also serves as Vice President of the Madison Chamber of Commerce. He enjoys the fellowship of the community and enjoys the ability to give back and is a veteran of the Vietnam War.
Stephen Brunelle joined the North Madison Volunteer Fire Company in 2018 after moving to Madison from East Haven. Steve was a 12 year member of the East Haven Volunteer Fire Department prior to moving to Madison in 2018. Steve started in the fire service at age 14 when he joined the explorer program in his hometown. Steve rose to the rank of Lieutenant in 2020 and currently manages the EMS Division. While not at the firehouse Steve is a full-time 911 Dispatcher with the Town of Madison since 2011.